Kneecap has been banned from entering Canada after “glorifying terrorist organisations” ahead of a scheduled tour.
The Irish rap trio, who have been at the heart of several recent controversies, were scheduled to perform four gigs in Toronto and Vancouver next month.
However, Parliamentary Secretary for Combating Crime Vince Gasparro barred the group from entering the country, claiming they had “engaged in actions and have made statements that are contrary to Canadian values and laws”.
Posting a video on X, Mr Gasparro accused the trio of: “Advocating for political violence, glorifying terrorist organisations and displaying hate symbols that directly target the Jewish community.”
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He said: “Recently, the rap group Kneecap has engaged in actions and has made statements that are contrary to Canadian values and laws that have caused deep alarm to our government.
“The group have amplified political violence and publicly displayed support for terrorist organisations such as Hezbollah and Hamas.”
“These are not expressions of art or legitimate political critique. They are dangerous endorsements of violence and hate.
“Notably, one member of the band is currently facing terrorism related charges in the United Kingdom.
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Parliamentary Secretary for Combating Crime Vince Gasparro announced the group had been barred from entering Canada
|X/VINCE GASPARRO
“Criticism of foreign governments is protected under Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms, however, advocating for political violence, glorifying terrorist organisations and displaying hate symbols that directly target the Jewish community are not protected forms of expression and will not be tolerated by our government.
“That is why, as parliamentary secretary for combating crime, I am announcing that, effective immediately, the members of Kneecap have been deemed ineligible to enter Canada.
“Canada stands firmly against hate speech, incitements to violence and the glorification of terrorism.
“Political debate and free speech are vital to our democracy but open endorsements of terrorist groups are not free speech.
“Our government remains steadfast in protecting all Canadians and, in this instance, Jewish Canadians from antisemitism and hate more broadly.
“Canada is never to be used as a platform for extremism of political violence and we will not tolerate international conflicts being used as an excuse to intimidate and harass Canadians here at home.”
Kneecap said in a statement Mr Gasparro's comments were 'wholly untrue'
|PA
In response, Kneecap’s manager, Daniel Lambert, branded the comments: “Outrageous, baseless accusations against three lads with zero convictions in any country ever.”
The group posted a statement in response to Mr Gasparro's remarks on its Instagram page, saying it planned to take legal action against him.
The statement read: “Your comments about us are wholly untrue and deeply malicious.
“We will not accept it. No member of Kneecap has been convicted of ANY crime in ANY country EVER.”
Kneecap member Liam Og O hAnnaidh is due to appear in a UK court this month in relation to a terror charge
|REUTERS
It comes after Kneecap announced in August that it had been forced to cancel 15 US tour dates in October due to one of their members’ upcoming court hearing in relation to a terror charge.
Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, is due to return to Westminster Magistrates’ Court on September 26, after his legal team argued the case should be thrown out due to a technical error in the way the charge was brought against him.
Prosecutors allege the 27-year-old displayed a flag in support of proscribed terror organisation Hezbollah at a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London, in November last year.
At the adjourned hearing in September, Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring will rule on whether he has the jurisdiction to try the case.